Re: Rather sad
gardenchat@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: Rather sad
  • From: &* <k*@comcast.net>
  • Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:47:05 -0500
Noreen,
This speaks volumes about relying on second hand information. The best thing to do is find out for yourself.
There are "snooties" everywhere and there are "overly sensetives" everywhere as well. But I doubt that any one entire group is made up of just one kind of person. If you're interested in something, go for it. Encounter snooties? Just find your nitch. If it doesn't work out; well, try something else.
I really like the idea of a probationary period. It really gives people a chance to increase their knowledge and then puts them on a more even footing with the rest of the group.
I've only been gardening since about 1990 and I almost exclusively went with mailorder from the start though I did eventually branch out to local nurseries a bit. I've run into my share of snooties but I've also run into some "overly sensetives" and even a few "ditzes". Heck, I expect, in various peoples opinions, I fall into all three categories from time to time. But for the most part I've encountered people who just enjoy gardening in one form or another and posess varying degrees of knowledge and generosity. All bring something to the table. There are a few that I avoid, as experience has shown that I have a better time with the nicer ones. 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: <TeichFauna@aol.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Rather sad



Sorry, I'm coming in on this a bit late.....

I totally agree.  Here in Houston there are many different plant
societies. For years I heard about the snooty reputation, some more than others. I 
attended the shows to see the various plants that I had only  seen in
books, make a wish list and buy the plants at the sales, since back then there 
was no internet, so you had to purchase  locally.  Garden club or society
plant sales were and still are for the most part, the best place to purchase 
the more unusual and hard to find  plants (at a cheaper price than online)
that actually do well in the area...and get first hand info from experienced 
growers.   I was pleasantly  surprised to see that the people were not
snooty at all.  I found them to  be very eager to share their passion and
knowledge. I joined those groups that I had the most interest in that particular 
plant group.  I avoided  even trying to join the orchid society because I
had heard they were the worst. I have now been a member for 3 years and was 
upset that I hadn't  joined sooner.

Times have changed, membership to a society is no  longer considered as
prestigious as it once was 25+ years ago. From what I was told, there were 
waiting lists to join the various plant societies,  and one had to have a
recommendation to join. Plants were much harder to obtain and therefore cost much more, so membership was pretty limitted to those that could afford the 
plants to begin with.   But all this has  changed, and those members that
tried to maintain these standards are no longer around. Nowadays, I find 
that the society members are  just extremely generous and passionate about
their plants, and eager to pass on excess plants and information to anyone 
that shows a legitimate interest in  learning......not just obtaining free
plants. They are especially accepting of members that participate as well. Unfortunately there are those that are just out for what they can get. Some 
societies have a  newcomers group  (I laughingly call it a probationary
period) that is required before becoming a member.......but in actuality this 
is the best  thing.  Newbies learn the basics by going to members houses
once a month to learn about certain genera, growing methods, etc. and given 
starter plants to try.  By the time the two year period is up, they have a
pretty good collection and knowledge about the plant group and know if they want to join or not. Many drop out after a couple months finding out that they aren't as into the particular plant as they thought........... but many 
stay and  become active productive members.  These groups are social as
well as educational, and highly rewarding, but mostly to those that show an 
interest or share their passion.

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast




In a message dated 7/29/2010 9:25:30 PM Central Daylight Time,
Aplfgcnys@aol.com writes:

You  should at least look at their shows.  I admit some clubs are
"snooty,"  though less and less these days, but Federated clubs,
as opposed to Garden  of America clubs, are real meritocracies.
You are appreciated for the work  you do, and status is gained
by achievement. Aside from that, I just feel  that the pleasure you
would get from a well-organized show is something you  should
experience.  I admit I'm a bit nuts, but a flower show is a  special
event.  Everyone involved is trying to make the best effort  possible.
You demonstrate what you have accomplished both  artistically
by flower arrangements, and horticulturally by exhibiting the  very
best specimens you can grow.  It's a real ego trip, I know,  but
I really think you would enjoy a good flower  show.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT

01:34:00

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index